Rutgers’ Lambert finds a home, ready to take next step

Rutgers defensive end Quanzell Lambert played the best football of his career at the end of last season in games like when he had two tackles and 0.5 sack against South Florida.
(Photo:
Mark Sullivan/Staff photographer
)

Story Highlights

Quanzell Lambert arrived at Rutgers as a middle linebacker but has settled in at defensive end

Lambert missed most of spring camp with a shoulder injury

Lambert notched four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the final five games of 2013

Lambert’s weight has fluctuated between 220 and 250 pounds during his three seasons at Rutgers

PISCATAWAY – The way that hybrid pass-rusher Quanzell Lambert sees things, a college football player is not settled in at any one position until he has made his first start.

Lambert has not yet reached that milestone during his Rutgers football career but after his strong finish to last season it seems likely that his days of shuffling around the field and between weights are over.

“Coming in I thought I was a middle linebacker but then came the position change and then the coaches giving you tips and tricks and teaching you things,” said Lambert, who now is playing defensive end. “Your body slowly develops into it and it’s like, ‘Man, I should’ve been doing this the whole time.’

Instead Lambert arrived at Rutgers weighing 245 pounds and was ordered to drop to 220 to stay at linebacker. He was moved to the defensive line in the spring of 2013 and played last season at 235 pounds, though now he is back up to 250.

“I’m pleased with him being in the right position,” Rutgers coach Kyle Flood said. “I’m pleased with the speed he’s getting to that position. I think Quanzell is a talented guy who is going to play a lot of football for us.”

Over the final five games of last season, the former four-star recruit recorded his first career sack, his first career forced fumble and four tackles for loss. He notched three tackles in the Pinstripe Bowl.

“It definitely was my (increased) confidence and the coaches kept me poised,” Lambert said. “I started showing up a lot in practice behind (then-starter) Marcus Thompson. The coaches know a guy can’t go 100 snaps. I feel as though I built a trust with them that, the few snaps you put me in I’ll give a guy a breather if you need me to. I’ll do my job for as long as you keep me out there.”

Lambert, who is listed as a backup to David Milewski, is confident that he continue to produce at a high level even if his game snaps dramatically increase. Thompson’s production is one of the reasons.

“We’ve got a lot of talent at (end) also so everybody is going to be able to get a breather,” he said. “Everybody is going to be able to go hard every play. I can go three or four downs straight knowing that the guy behind me is going to be able to come in and do his job. Last year, a guy like Marcus Thompson was probably doing 17 straight. He played the whole Fresno State game, which was like 111 snaps.”

Lambert missed most of spring camp due to a shoulder injury but he doesn’t consider it to be a setback in his development. Quite the opposite, actually.

“I think I advanced a little bit,” he said. “I’m off the field so now I have to be the coach instead of taking the coaching in. I think I matured as a person and was able to give the team a step forward instead of me taking a step back by helping some guys take a step forward.”